''Boehlkea fredcochui'', also known as the Cochu's blue tetra is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

characin Characiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, comprising the characins and their allies. Grouped in 18 recognized families, more than 2000 different species are described, including the well-known piranha and tetras.; Buckup P.A.: "Relationshi ...

. Its natural

range Range may refer to: Geography * Range (geographic), a chain of hills or mountains; a somewhat linear, complex mountainous or hilly area (cordillera, sierra) ** Mountain range, a group of mountains bordered by lowlands * Range, a term used to i ...

is in the

Amazon Basin The Amazon basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries. The Amazon drainage basin covers an area of about , or about 35.5 percent of the South American continent. It is located in the countries of Bolivi ...

. It is commonly kept as an

aquarium An aquarium (plural: ''aquariums'' or ''aquaria'') is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic plants or animals are kept and displayed. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, aq ...

fish.Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae Gill, 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae): classification and the evolution of reproductive traits. ''BMC Evolutionary Biology, (2015) 15: 146.'' The fish is named in honor of tropical fish importer Ferdinand (Fred) Cochu of the

Paramount Aquarium Paramount (from the word ''paramount'' meaning "above all others") may refer to: Entertainment and music companies * Paramount Global, also known simply as Paramount, an American mass media company formerly known as ViacomCBS. The following busin ...

, who introduced this species to the aquarium hobby around 1956.

Aquarium care

* Maximum length: * Colors: Blue, pink * Temperature preference: 22-27 Celsius (71-80 Fahrenheit) * pH preference: 6 to 7.5 * Hardness preference: Soft to medium (less than 15ºd) * Salinity preference: No salt * Compatibility: Generally peaceful, may nip fins during feeding or when stressed * Life span: Typically 2 to 3 years * Ease of keeping: Easy * Ease of breeding: Moderate to hard As for other

schooling A school is an educational institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is sometimes compuls ...

characins, the cochu's blue tetra should always be kept in groups of at least six. A very active fish, it requires open areas in which to swim and is best kept in aquariums or larger. Aggression is generally limited to conspecifics in appropriate setups, but they may harass other fish in too small a tank, or without enough other tetras. Spawning may occur in home setups, with the eggs being scattered over fine leafed plants. Soft, acidic water is required for hatching to occur. Males may be differentiated from females by their slimmer, more streamlined form and more intense colouration.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q882686 Hemibryconini Tetras of Brazil Freshwater fish of Colombia Freshwater fish of Peru Fish of the Amazon basin Taxa named by Jacques Géry Fish described in 1966